you should know. It is your homework.
In a P-wave (primary wave), the ground moves back and forth in the direction of the wave propagation. This means that the particles in the ground compress and expand as the wave passes through them, creating a push-pull motion similar to a slinky being compressed and stretched.
P waves are longitudinal mechanical waves which are formed from alternating compressions and rarefactions. In a longitudinal wave the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation.The particles do not move with the wave; they simply oscillate back and forth about their individual equilibrium positions. Thus particles in the ground move or vibrate along or parallel to the traveling direction of the P wave when it passes through them..
the P wave
The primary wave (P-wave) vibrates in the same direction as the wave propagation. This means that the particles in the material move back and forth parallel to the direction of wave travel as the P-wave passes through.
since the p wave is faster it will be ahead of the s wave even though they start at the same place.
A P wave is a type of seismic wave that travels through the Earth's interior. It is a compressional wave, meaning the particles it passes through move in the same direction as the wave itself. P waves are the fastest seismic waves and are the first to be detected during an earthquake.
Longitudinal Waves
When a P-wave reaches the outer core, it undergoes refraction due to the change in density of the material. This causes the wave to slow down and bend as it travels through the outer core.
The ground motion produced by a P-wave is a rapid back-and-forth motion in the direction of wave propagation, causing particles to compress and expand. In contrast, surface waves cause horizontal shaking and rolling motion along the surface, resulting in larger amplitudes and longer durations compared to P-waves.
A P wave is a type of seismic wave that is caused by an earthquake. P waves are the first seismic waves felt during an earthquake. When the P wave moves, rock particles move back and forth along the direction of the P wave.
Those are the P-waves, which are the fastest and weakest.
The type of wave that causes the ground to shake in a motion parallel to the focus moving straight away from the epicenter is a primary (P) wave. P waves are compressional waves that travel through the Earth and are the fastest seismic waves. They are the first to be detected by seismographs during an earthquake.